The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Victims

  • Flood victims appeal to Uduaghan

    Our homes are no more; our farmlands and cash crops have been washed away by the flood. We have nothing left, but we believe our governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, can make a difference. We need help.

    That was the position of residents of Obecha-Utchi, Ndokwa-East Local Government Area of Delta State, after flood submerged their houses and wasted their farms and cash crops.

    The community is situated by the bank of the River Niger.

    Leaders of the community, under the aegis of Obecha Development Union (ODU), articulated the residents’ plight in a letter sent to the state governor, copies of which were also delivered to Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta North Senatorial District); Hon. Ossai Ossai (member of the House of Representatives, representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency), and the Presidential Committee on Flood Disaster, Abuja.

    In the letter, the ODU leadership, including the oldest man in the community, Chief Obi Chiejina, its president Elder Paul Nwose, and six others informed Governor Uduaghan and others of “the destruction of properties in Obecha-Utchi community by the flood in September and October 2012.”

    The community leaders said their settlement is “ravaged by massive coastal erosion and flood” every year because of its location, but emphasised that the residents have never experienced such destruction as they did this year.

    Part of the letter read: “The havoc occasioned by the September and October flood from River Niger is catastrophic and unprecedented in the annals of history. The destruction affected houses, ancient landmarks, economic trees, farmlands, plantain plantations, cassava farms, livestock, fishponds, and other infrastructure.

    “Due to the flood, our people whose main occupation is farming and fishing are prone to diseases. Hunger and starvation are a clear challenge; we are in dire need of relief materials.”

    No fewer than 136 residents of the community were said to be directly affected by the flood, some losing their houses or farms and cash crops. The community leaders estimated the losses at N146 million.

  • Six victims have died in Edo camp, says ex-NMA chair

    Six of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in a camp in Edo State have died, a former chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Philip Ugbodagha, said yesterday.

    Ugboadagha said the deceased were in Ekperi camp.

    The ex-NMA boss said government cannot carry alone the burden.

    He said: “Certainly, government alone cannot do it and we recognise that the bureaucracy associated with government activities is beginning to show in health status of victims of flood and, therefore, health support initiatives in conjunction with Nigeria Medical Association, Edo North zone decided to offer free medical services. We expect that if we get needed support, we can extend it to all the camps. When we visited Ekperi camp for example, we discovered that six persons have died in that camp and six children have been delivered since they moved into the camp and as at the time we visited, not one of those kids has had any form of vaccination or immunisation.”

    Also, IDPs in camps in Edo State are complaining of inadequate supply of food and other relief materials.

    The victims, who accused government officials of diverting the materials meant for them, said many of their children are now malnourished.

    An IDP, who identified himself as Malam Oseni, said: “Just take a look at this camp here in Fugar. We are so overcrowded in this camp with no proper hygiene. Most of our children have taken ill with symptoms of runny stomach. Some of them have been taken to hospital on admission.

    “I hear that this is also happening in other camps, but my question now is that what has happened to the money that the Comrade Governor released to this committee?”

    The Chairman, Committee on Relief for Displaced Persons, Hadjia Mamunetu Momodu, said government was taking steps to alleviate their plight.

    She told The Nation at Etsako Central Skills Acquisition Centre in Fugar:

    “I do know that the state government has provided adequate drugs to be given to the victims. However, like the commissioner said, I do know that a couple of time they have sent medical personnel and all that and like I have always said, we want to appeal to the local government affected, they should also bring in their doctors, get helping hands to join what the state government has provided so that we get the best out of this situation.”

    On alleged inadequate supply of relief materials, she said: “But you know, even in a family, it is difficult for you to say you can satisfy everybody 100 per cent. But people should know that in a situation like this, you don’t expect the same conditions you have when you are in your private houses. I have seen a couple of them, when you give them things; as soon as you turn back suddenly, they start to complain. I have told them ‘don’t use this situation to raise false alarm’. And those people that make noise a lot are the people that are not really affected. Some of them just take the advantage that the camp is within our area, they just go there and they are the ones raising issues that are not on ground.”

    The Special Assistant to the President on Social Development and Special Duties, Mrs. Sarah Pane, has said the country may not meet its food sufficiency target in rice production.

    She blamed this on the flooding being experienced in parts of the country.

    The presidential aide spoke yesterday at the opening of the Regional Dialogue on Renewable Energy Technology for Improved Agricultural Productivity and Sustainable Development in Abuja.

    Mrs. Pane said: “Right now, I cannot say the extent but thank God this year, the harvest was much, especially rice. We had expected that we want to be able to achieve one milestone. I think that really in terms of yearly production, the quantity will not come below what we produced in previous years only that the target we wanted to achieve may not be achieved because some have been destroyed but the level of agriculture has practically improved this year.”

  • Ex-militants donate N52.7m to victims

    •Senators to donate N22.8m to flood victims

    Former Niger Delta militants have donated over N52 million to flood victims.

    The Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Kingsley Kuku, made this disclosure in a statement by the Head of Media and Communications, Mr. Daniel Alabrah.

    He said ex-militants agreed to donate N2000 from their October allowances.

    The actual figure to be donated is N52,716,000.

    Kuku said: “The 26,358 amnesty beneficiaries in Phases One and Two of the programme agreed to donate about N2000 (Two Thousand Naira) individually from their October 2012 allowances to alleviate the suffering of victims in Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states.”

    “Staffers of the Presidential Amnesty Office also donated between 20 and 30 per cent of their October allowances to support the efforts of the federal and states government on the flood situation.”

    Kuku, while commending the amnesty beneficiaries for their gesture, said: “This is very commendable as it is a practical demonstration of the African spirit and tradition of being your brother’s keeper in times of distress.”

    To ensure proper procurement and distribution of relief materials to affected states, the PAP Chairman formed an 18-member Flood Relief Committee comprising of key stakeholders in the amnesty programme and volunteers. The committee is headed by the Technical Assistant on Reintegration, Mr. Larry Pepple.

    Also, senators will donate N22,8 million to flood victims, Senate President David Mark said yesterday.

    Mark spoke in Abuja.

    He said the 10 Principal Officers of the Upper Chambers would pay the N300,000 each. The other 99 senators would contribute N200,000 each.

    He said donation would be in addition to other relief materials already given to flood victims by senators in their constituencies.

  • Foundation evacuates 12,300 victims in Delta, Bayelsa

    •Navy gives victims free medical treatment

    THE  Dickens Sanomi Foundation has evacuated 12,300 flood victims in Bayelsa and Delta states.

    The foundation’s Co-ordinator, Mr. Daniel Idonor, said Bayelsa and Delta state governments must establish more relief camps.

    He said:”In our operations, we provided two 500-seater engine boat and four speed boats at the Arhavwrien waterside. For the first four days, theses boats were used to evacuate IDPs from all the riverine communities. We also engaged the services of Rukevwe Transport Company in Ughelli, which conveyed people from the waterside to Ewhu, Okwagbe, Ughelli and Warri; all at no cost to the people.

    “The greatest success of the Dickens Sanomi Foundation’s rescue operation is the successful rescue and evacuation of the 118-year-old man in Orere, Elder Ighonido Ewhre, and his family to a safer place within the new camp, we set up in Orere. We also evacuated a two-day old baby girl with her parents to Ughelli.

    “The Dickens Sanomi Foundation has also carried out major rehabilitation of the existing weak infrastructure, including replacement of doors, windows and ceilings of the dilapidated of the class rooms in the various Camps”.

    “After five days of intensive rescue operations, the foundation is pleased to inform you that it has successfully evacuated total of 12,300 displaced children and adults, as recorded by our team from eight kingdoms and 42 communities, while fives camps have been set up. We are also providing support services in four government camps, including Orere, Arhavwrien, Ewhu, Okwagbe and Ughelli camps.

    “We have also established a warehouse in Ughelli, from where we intend to distribute food, medicals, cloths, beddings, toiletries and other relief materials from, in the next few days”.

    The Navy is providing free medical treatments to flood victims in Baylesa State.

    The Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral JO Olutoyin, said the gesture was to ameliorate the victims’ suffering.

    He spoke when he flagged off the medical mission at the Sports Complex Yenagoa.

     

  • Suswam’s Wife enlivens flood victims’ camps

    Suswam’s Wife enlivens flood victims’ camps

    As in other parts of the country, flood-induced misery has also been the lot of some residents of Benue State. But the wife of the state governor, Yemisi Suswam, has been working hard to lift their spirits.

    She visited them. She danced with them. She also came with food. The gesture put a smile on the faces of the displaced people.

    The floods have forced over 4,000 people including children from their homes, and have been sheltering in three primary schools in the metropolis.

    Apart from bringing bags of rice, oil, soaps and toiletries, she shared what she brought with them, giving the people a sense of belonging.

    For instance, she came with a large cake which she cut and distributed to the people.

    In her brief remarks, the wife of the governor urged the children to be strong and trust in God that very soon, they would return to their homes, adding that the flood was one of the natural disasters which were unexpected.

    She assured them that Benue State government would do everything possible to ensure their comfort in the camps.

    Mrs Suswam also assured them that government would provide basic neccesities of life like food, clothes; mattresses and medical services for them.

    A popular comedian entertained the children, keeping them singing and dancing with the wife of the governor.

  • ACN donates materials to Kogi flood victims

    The Kogi State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday donated materials to victims of recent floods.

    The items, which were said to have cost N500,000, were presented to displaced persons at Adankolo, Lokoja, the state capital.

    ACN Chairman Mallam Haddy Ametuo presented the items.

    He said the party shared gifts during campaigns and presented materials to people in their moments of joy and grief.

    Ametuo said: “Though we are not in government, but as an organised political party, we are very responsible. That’s why we’ve come to the aid of our people. These items were donated because of the party’s policy of assisting the less privileged, not necessarily during electioneering campaigns.”

     

     

     

     

  • Adenuga, Dangote, Elumelu, others to help flood victims

    Adenuga, Dangote, Elumelu, others to help flood victims

    Jonathan okays N17.6b for states

    HELP is on the way for flood victims, with the President approving yesterday a committee of eminent citizens to raise funds for their needs.

    Dr. Goodluck Jonathan announced yesterday that the Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation will join forces with the government to provide urgent relief for flood victims.

    Frontline businessman Alhaji Aliko Dangote is co-chairman of the committee. The President of commodities giant Dangote Group has already given N430 million to some of the victims.

    Right activist and respected lawyer Olisa Agbakoba is co-chairman of the 43-member committee.

    Chairman of mobile giant Globacom Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr. is chief fund mobiliser.

    The others are: Alhaji Karami Isiaku Rabiu (member), Alhaji Mohammed Indimi (member), Ngo Hannatu Cholum (member), Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija (member), former minister Prof. Dora Akunyili (member) and prominent banker and Heir Holdings chair Tony Elumelu (member).

    Also in the committee are: Secretary-General, Nigerian Red Cross, representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN), the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union (EU), DFID and USAID.

    There are also permanent secretaries of the following ministries: Environment, Water Resources, Works, Agriculture, Health, Finance, National Planning and Director-General, NEMA.

    Other members are: Ag. Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Perm. Sec., Ecological Funds Office, Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS), Tunde Lemo (Representing the Central Bank), Fatima Wali, Frank Nweke Jnr. and Senator Florence Ita-Giwa.

    The President announced the committee in a national broadcast yesterday.

    The Committee is to raise funds to complement the government’s resources for the provision of relief to flood victims and the post-impact rehabilitation of affected persons and communities, according to presidential spokesman Reuben Abati.

    The Committee, which is also expected to advise the government on the judicious utilisation of funds raised, “has been authorised by President Jonathan to co-opt any other persons or organisations that it may find useful in carrying out its assignment.”

    It has one year to conclude its task.

    The government has already voted N17.6billion for the affected states and government agencies involved in tackling the effects of the disaster.

    The breakdown shows that N13.3billion will go to states affected by flood and N4.3billion will be for government agencies.

    The affected states have been categorised into four groups, based on the present assessment, Category A states will receive N500 million each. Category B states, N400 million each; Category C states N300 million each and Category D states, N250 million each.

    Category A states are: Oyo, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Adamawa, Delta, Bayelsa and Anambra.

    Category B states are: Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Taraba, Cross River, Edo, Lagos and Imo.

    In Category C are: Kwara, Katsina, Gombe, Ogun, Ondo, Ebonyi, Abia and Rivers.

    Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Yobe, Enugu, Ekiti, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Borno and Federal Capital Territory are in Category D.

    The Ministry of Works is to get N2.6 billion, NEMA N1.1 billion, Ministry of the Environment N350 million, National Commission for Refugees N150 million and technical committee on flood’s impact assessment N100 million.

    The allocation to the government agencies, according to the President, is to further intensify their intervention.

    The president commiserated with all those who lost loved ones, properties as well as all the affected communities and institutions.

    He noted that over the past few weeks, unprecedented floods have ravaged many parts of the country rendering tens of thousands of fellow Nigerians homeless and causing massive destruction of property, farmland and infrastructure across the country.

    “It is sad that this global phenomenon of devasting flood has come to Nigeria at this time. I want to reassure all Nigerians that the Federal Government is prepared to do everything possible to mitigate the impact of this natural disaster,” he added.

    The president also noted that the interim report of the presidential technical committee which assessed the impact of the floods has been presented to key stakeholders, including the leadership of the National Assembly and governors of of the affected states.

    The report, according to him, contained some recommendations.

    “The technical committee will continue to go around the country while the Vice President and I will also visit some of the affected communities.

    “When we receive the committee’s final report, the Federal Government will further initiate medium and long term measures to check future flood disasters.”

    He went on:

    “In the main time, relevant government agencies have intervened to provide relief to the affected persons in collaboration with the state governments. The National Management Emergency Agency, NEMA, has so far spent N1.314 billion to provide mediate relief material. The Minister of Works has spent 556 million on the repair of collapsed bridges and the construction of by-passes while the Minster of Environment has spent N95 million on sundry relief measures. “

    “In addition to this, the Federal Government has decided on a number of measures to further ameliorate the situation.

    “This include immediate provision of a total of 17.6 billion in direct financial assistance to the affected states and some Federal Government agencies responsible for disaster management.”

    President Jonathan thanked governments, members of the National Assembly, private individuals, agencies of government, private sector institutions, NGOs, faith based organisations, and philanthropic groups who individually and collectively have risen to the aid of persons communities affected by the floods.

    “This humanitarian and compassionate spirit that has been on display in the past few weeks, reassures us that at critical moments, Nigerians are able to come together in pursuit of a common purpose,” he added.

    The President also reassured Nigerians that this administration remains fully committed to the welfare and well being of all Nigerians at all times.

     

  • Ex-Delta SSG Omo-Agege donates rice, other items to victims

    FORMER Secretary to Delta State Government (SSG) and governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011, Ovie Omo-Agege, has donated 100 bags of rice, salt, indomie noodles and other food items to flood victims in Uwheru, in Ughelli North Local Government Area.

    The affected communities are: lwhreana, lwhruche, lwhregbo, Ohoro, Agadama, Owarovwo, Ogode, Ophororo, Iwhreure and Ophororo, all in Uwheru.

    More than 3,000 residents have been sacked from their homes in the submerged communities.

    Omo-Agage, who described the flood as a natural disaster, said it has affected the socio-economic psyche of the people.

    He commended the prompt intervention of the state government.

    Sympathising with the victims, he urged them to move into the camp established in Uwheru for their safety.

    He said storm water was not good for human consumption and their health, even as he appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of flood victims.

     

  • NEMA gives relief materials to Delta flood victims

    THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at the weekend distributed relief materials to flood victims in Delta State.

    It registered 8,790 displaced persons at the Internally Displaced Peoples Camps (IDPCs).

    NEMA Director-General Muhammad Sani-Sidi said more camps would be established to accommodate more people.

    Sidi, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Relief, Mr. Mike Adeyanju, said emergency workers were in the state for rapid response assessment and they discovered that the water level in coastal communities have continued to rise.

    He said: “The agency hired boats to evacuate trapped person at Okpai Obeze, Okpai Umuaguru, Akarai Ekiti, Azagba, Power line and Forest Guard communities to nearby IDP camps.”

    Adeyanju said the agency is involved in the administration of the camps and offers technical assistance to local emergency workers and volunteers.

    He urged the state government to engage all stakeholders in the management of the natural disaster.

    NEMA officials inspected camps at St. Patrick’s College, Asaba; Institute for Continuing Education (ICE), Asaba; Ossissa, Ndokwa East Council; Utagba-egbe, Ndokwa East Local Government; and St. Michael’s College, Oleh, Isoko South Local Government.

    Yesterday, Deputy Governor Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN) said over 30,000 persons were displaced.

    Utuama spoke in Asaba when he visited the ICE relief camp.

    He said over 13 local government areas were affected.

    Utuama said about 15,000 persons were in various camps across the state while another 15,000 refused to come to the camps.

    He said the government has the capacity to take care of all the victims and urged people in flood-prone areas to come to the camp.

    Minister of Finance Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said President Goodluck Jonathan has set up an inter-ministerial committee to tackle flood.

    Also at the weekend, the National Commission for Refugees (NCFR) donated bags of gari, rice, buckets, blankets, salt, ground nut oil and palm oil to the victims.

    NCFR Assistant Director Mrs. Ovoudo Abdulahi said the agency’s gesture was to ameliorate the suffering of the victims.

    Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation Dr. Anthonia Ashiedu said skills acquisition training has begun at relief centres across the state.

    She said ICE camp is home to 979 people.

  • Amaechi assures flood victims of support

    THE Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has promised to provide relief materials for victims of Omoku and Ahoada flood disaster.

    He spoke yesterday at Okwuzi, one of the flooded communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area.

    Apart from Obrikom, Ebocha and Okwuzi communities, which the governor visited, other villages ravaged by the flood are Egbema, Kala and Opuogbogolo in Ahoada West local government area.

    Amaechi assured urgent and drastic steps will be taken to provide shelter, food and healthcare services for the displaced victims.

    According to him: “By Monday, we expect the executive council committee to take over. They will come with mattresses, clean potable water, food and medical items. Where we have primary schools those people that are displaced should take over.

    “We will get doctors to come and see if there are water-borne diseases, we will see what we can do to assist them.”

    Amaechi called on the federal government to come to the rescue of the state.

    “We never knew that the flood affected Rivers State until some few days ago. And it is bad, very bad. What I saw today is a monumental national disaster,” he stated.